The oversized red backpack slipped from Milo’s shoulders and rolled down the school steps. Clatter, clatter! Milo raced after it beneath bright autumn leaves.
Milo caught the backpack and hugged it close. He whispered, “Home?”
A gust flipped the backpack open. Papers fluttered everywhere like little white birds.
Milo caught one paper, then another. Through the open doors, the noisy school shone with colors.
Milo gathered the last paper and peeked inside. A kind classmate waved and held out a blue crayon.
Milo held the paper and took a slow breath. The room smelled like crayons and clean paint.
The backpack caught on the doorway and popped open again. Red, yellow, and blue crayons rolled across the floor.
One blue crayon rolled under Milo’s nose. He giggled and crawled after it while his classmate scooped up the others.
Milo tucked the blue crayon safely in one paw and put on the backpack. His classmate made room at the table.
Milo drew a bright autumn tree. When the bell rang, he waved at the door instead of running home.
